It's Going to Be A BOY!!!!

Found out last night that my daughter and her dear husband will be having  little boy! We are thrilled - with just the news of the baby and mom doing well and then to find out! Such a blessing!

We already had the date (in April) but this is awesome! She asked me to create a card for her to use and below please see my recent work. I also made some ATCs and affixed a magnet on the back for her as a refrigerator magnet.

A BOY! How sweet is that?

Fat Book Done! Time - The Time to Be Happy Is Now!

It took me forever to complete the swap creation - PWA hosted another fatbook swap and the task was to revitalize an ordinary CD and incorporate a time theme.

Well - it was hard. First, getting something to adhere to the CD was a challenge but the wonderful O'So red line tape worked wonders. Then finding a design - boy - it was difficult - I ended up reorganzing ALL my stamps in order to do just that. I found all my clock stamps and then just started stamping and playing. I have TONS of stamps - time to start selling some off. Or trade! LOL!

This is what I ended up with. Thanks to distress inks and all the stamps I have collected over the years. Add clear, red and bubble beads and you have a finished project. I kept fishing around for stuff to embellish with and found plenty! I could have spent another week adding to this.

Thanks to Suzanne at Pennywise for hosting!

Of course I had to state on the back the famous Alice in Wonderland saying that is so me.... I'm late, Im late.... (LOL!) If you read this please forgive my rants. You can't see it but it is there.

Wishing you all well!

Another contest and a book to read - by Kristie Cook

Another contest(s) and a book to read! Looks interesting - check it out. Happy Friday!

http://www.kristiecook.com/2010/10/mr-beautifuls-halloween-hop-birthday.html

Mini Books - an inspiration

Head on over to Rhonda's - she is making me an adorable minibook - totally cute! I was fortunate to win the blog candy on the recent blog hop! Can't wait Rhonda! Thank you! This means I will finally buy a Cricut - and I have been trying to decide which one!

“The Paper Tower ” - Blog Candy

There are lots of blog hops and blog candy out there but one in particular was the Paper Tower. You have to check it out.

Here is the tower -





Have fun!

Catching Up

Autumn has fallen upon us and I finally got some ATCs done. I resurrected some older ones - reworking them by adding beads. I also used "leftovers" to make new ATCs. I have saved bits and pieces of images and papers. I was told I needed to clear out some of my stuff so I can make room for some new things. The new thing will be coming soon - I bought several new stamps and can't wait to use them! Below are some ATCs that recently went out.

PS - Judikins has a precious stamp of a baby carriage! Can't wait to use it. Looking forward to creating this fall and winter!

July 24th - Jake and Kaitlin Wedding

If anyone stopped by in the last few months, please forgive me! It has been a whirlwind culminating in the most beautiful wedding - here's to Jake and Kaitlin! Many blessings - also included Jerry dancing with Kaitlin - aren't they lovely!

Mr. and Mrs. Twardowski

Father - Daughter Dance

More ATCs

Summer is coming up and I have a busy schedule ahead. I created this next batch of ATCs ahead of tiime for swaps so I wouldn't miss out on getting some treasured art from my Beadie Buddies. Enjoy!

  Ticket to dream was created using some lovely scrapbook paper, beads, ribbon and thread. The flower was punched from a magazine and stickles inside the center of the flower.  Fun and easy. I love these colors.

 

This ATC is using a Rubbermoon unmounted stamp. It says making up for lost time. I used diamond glaze over the face of the watch. It was a fun stamp to use. Originally created for the time themed swap this will probably end up as a 1-4-1.

This ATC features some extra images from the fatbook swap that I participated in - the 9-4-9 ATC swap coming up this summer is coffee themed so it was perfect. The bubble beads give a coarse sugary feel. Beware these bubble beads bouce! Wish I had purchased a bigger bag!

 

May's 9-4-9 ATC swap is chocolate themed and when I saw this stamp it was a must have. Bubble beads give it a glitzy edge and the ribbon and ultra fine translucent beads help finish it out.

 

After I created the lost time ATC I found an unmounted stamp set at Michael's and the set included a time flies stamp as well as others. This was the challenge to make another set for this swap. I got to use paper that I got for my birthday too! Black Beads and leafy trim helped embellish this out.

 This final ATC is for the swap themed 3-D flower - the ultra fine translucent beads are like dew on the petals of the flowers. I put some translucent holed beads as the center of the flowers. This was another stamp find and it was a must have.  Hope you enjoyed these!  Kathi

Pre-stamped Images - and Oops Images

This month, as I get ready to move, I came across some images I had stamped recently and over a year ago. I decided it was time to take these and make into works of art for this month's PWA 1-4-1 ATC swap. Here are some of the creations.

The face - love the pink and green - used left over green from daughter's shower invitation, old stamped image, used watercolot pencils, layered image with trasparent laminating sheet - added beads and ribbon - enjoy.

Who doesn't love this pig? And the saying is a hoot - actually heard someone use a similar saying on TV this week - Fred Thompson on the View! LOL!  Used alcohol inks on a transparency sheet back then layered over the whole card - added beads at bottom - and cute buttons - with Judikin's Diamond glaze. I love this pig.

 Dream - This card uses leftover scrapbooking paper, flower from another swap project, and an oops image (oops image is something that didn't turn out as well as I hoped - never throw away you can always find a use later!) I embellished with a leftover button and some wonderful PWA beads to anchor the card and image.

This ATC was created from an oops image that I used when creating ATCs for a recent Asian swap. Originally I created the background using Judikins micainks. To fix the oops I covered the area with some lovely PWA beads - again the colors of the beads now are awesome! I also added some stickles to the starry spots. I got this huge unmounted stamp from a stamp show in Portland almost five years ago and there was no name on it. But the series was awesome.

 This ATC was a recent new stamp purchase for me. The first impression didn't take in the middle and so I ended up with an oops image - so I added black PWA beads and a flower button using Judikin's Diamond glaze to cover the oops area.  Isn't she lovely?

Hope you enjoyed!  Kathi

April Showers

Here is a card I made for my dear daughter's shower.... I have been busy plesae forgive!

MOre later as I can catch my breath! LOL!

Kathi

Easter Time! Shakers!

Just having fun tonight - went for walk in the cold with my husband came home and making shaker ATCs.

Here are two I made in just a few minutes. The bunny ATC was fun. I stamped the grass ATC background, and embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I stamped and embossed the transparency layer, colored the backside. Next, I affixed the skinny foam tape strips to the edges of the grass layer, pulled backing off foam tape, added a mix of colors of micro beads then layered the transpareny layer on top. To finish, edge the ATC with O'So redline tape and remove liner, dip in microbeads.  Add stickers to the top and you have finished ATC. The double layered image makes it two dimensional.

The second ATC is just scrapbook paper cut to ATC size with the transparency layer on top and the beads inside. Apply stickers and ribbon! Happy Easter!

Now who do I give them to?

Kathi

Blog Hop - Blog Candy Winners

Had so much fun that I decided to announce two winners!

Thank you for hopping by!

Blog candy winners are:  "Quiltknit"  and  "lying aboutmyage"

Please post your emails in comments (as stamperatyahoo.com) and I will email you for mailing details.

Thanks all!

Kathi

PWA Blog Hop Day 3

Thank you Hopping along!

Hopping along the hop has been fun and the "eye candy" is wonderful. The comments are wonderful and this is the last chance for you to enter your comments for a chance for blog candy from this site and other blog hop stops.

For every comment entered on this blog before midnight tonight, you will be entered for a chance for a Blog Candy grab bag with beads and beadables worth about $10.00. Monday morning I will post the winner.

Just in case - the blog hop starts at PennyWise Arts blog. Say hi to Suzanne!

The blog stop before mine is Insanedaze. The next blog hop stop is craftychickfrommaine. Say hi to Jen W and Jen T!

Below are shakers and ATCs. The shakers are made to the size of an ATC and use a transparency sheet cut to ATC size. I used pop strips from Forever In Time (1/8") to line the edge of the ATC background. Remove the liner on the pop strips BEFORE adding in your beads!. Layer the transparency on top. Then line the outer edges with redline O'So sticky tape (1/4" or bigger). Apply beads. You have an easy shaker. I got this idea from Vicki Chow who sent an ATC in January as part of the Yahoogroups 1-4-1 ATC swap.

Please visit the Pennywise Arts website for more details on shakers, ATCs and products.

Thank you for stopping hopping by! You are welcome anytime!

Kathi

Blog Hop Day 2 - Bead the World and Hop Along with PWA!

Welcome Hoppers!

This is the 2nd day of the Blog Hop!

The hop officially starts at PennyWiseArts Blog so if you missed the start just click and hop over to say hi to Suzanne. If you came on over from InsaneDaze blog, glad you hopped in to say hi! The next blog hop stop is CraftyChickfromMaine blog. Their blogs and art are amazing!

You are invited to leave comments to be eligible for Blog candy from this blog site and many other blog hop stops. This blog will award a winner drawn at random on the last day, March 28th. ImpressionsDelight blog candy is a grab bag of beads and beadables worth about $10.00. Be sure to leave your comment!

Above you see my Chocolate Bunny ATC created for a PWA monthly ATC swap (check out our Yahoo Group! You won't be disappointed!) - stamped bunny is from Stampin' Up and ribbon is actually a Hero Arts stamp from a set I bought over 5 years ago. The ribbon stamped image is covered in the clear ultra fine micro beads. Saying is from Rubber Moon. I created the chocolate background myself. Had to get the right color!

Below are some more ATC beaded creations! These were from this year's PWA Yahoo Group ATC Swaps. The pink flamingo uses the O'So tape to adher the fiber ribbon and I used Diamond Glaze to apply the clear ultra fine microbeads in the flower center. The rooster ATC features two strips of black beads (top and bottom of the ATC. The background was my own creation using markers and I stamped and embossed the rooster image on top of it.

Below are some non-card creations! I must admit I love to use the beads on EVERYTHING! Dominoes and tiles are great mediums to use the micro beadsbeads on as well as bottle caps! The domino is a left over from a swap several years ago. I used Ranger Ink's alcohol inks to color the domino, the stamped the image with black Stazon ink (you can actually emboss the image but Stazon is quicker!), and to seal Diamond Glaze from Judikins on top of the face of the domino. Then on the sides apply O'So adhesive tape, and lastly dipped in PWA's Wild Plum micro beads! I glued the beads on top as a way to thread a cord and wear!

I am currently creating a project for Alice in Wonderland and created the "watch" using the bottle cap, a stamped image of a pocket watch face and O'So Tape and ultra fine translucent micro beads (my favorite). This is truly a work in progress. I attempted to color the rim of the bottle cap gold.

Hope you enjoy and have fun on the Blog Hop! Never met a Beadie Buddy I didn't like!  Be sure to hop over to the PennyWise Arts site for more info on the products, how-to's and ideas!

Thanks for hopping by!  Kathi

PWA Blog Hop! Hop along with us!

Thanks for hopping along on our Pennywise Arts community blog hop! The BLOG HOP begins March 26th & ends March 28th.

Note: Leave a comment for a chance for blog candy from many of the stops!  ImpressionDelights Blog candy is a grab bag of a sampling of beads and beadables worth about $10.00 to be awarded at the end of the hop Sunday, March 28th.

Welcome Hoppers!

If you hopped on over from the previous blog hop stop from Jennifer W's  InsaneDaze blog,  thanks for stopping! Please be sure to hop on over to the next blog hop stop, Jennifer T's CraftChickfrommaine blog . Both Jennifer's have awesome blogs and are wonderful artists.

Just in case you missed our blog hop first stop, be sure to catch the fun and visit the Queen herself - Suzanne at PennyWiseArts blog! She is friendly and talented and her Beadie Buddies adore her.

Visit the blog hop stops and you will learn there are beads, beadables, and adhesives and so much more!

March 26th
There are so many uses for these lovely, little, holeless beads that the list is endless. I find myself finding ways to enhance so many craft creations with the Pennywise Arts beads. I have used then on cards and stamped images, dominoes, Christmas ornaments to just name a few. Plus you can use with many types of art mediums and art products. These beads are an essential part of my art supply basics.

Above are recent ATC creations featuring PennyWise Arts micro beads. They create such dimension! The first one, I used a piece of leftover scrapbook paper as the background layer for the stamped image, mitzuhiki cord and the red translucent micro beads as embellishments. It looks like it could be ribbon but the beads are awesome and easy to use. The second one, I stamped the image on a mica ink (from Judikins) background I created, colored with markers and then simply added two srtips of O'So sticky tape applied the gold and red micro beads.

Tomorrow more beaded creations! Clear and ultra fine micro beads are my favorite. But you can't beat the colors - just go over and check them out at PennyWise Arts ! Be sure and ask about the shakers and how to make them!

Don't forget - Leave a comment for a chance for blog candy from this blog and many of the other blog hop stops. For this blog, winner to be drawn at random on March 28th. ImpressionDelights Blog candy is a grab bag of beads and beadables worth about $10.00.

Birds of a Feather - Song Fatbook Swap

Go on over to Suzanne's Pennywise Arts blog! She highlights some of the wonderful creations and mine is there too! These fatbook swaps are amazing. So many different creations! PWA beadie buddies are so wonderful!

Here is my song bird! You don't want to miss these swaps. The ultra fine translucent beads are around the eye, along the outer edge of the piece and also help cover any uncovered adhesives (around the wing and nest). Thank you Suzanne for hosting (and posting)!

Cracked Fish

As part of the journey into different mediums I created the fish below on a crackle paste (Golden) prepared backgound. Mary Jo was mystical encouraging us to look onto the canvas and find the picture. Sort of like finding pictures in the clouds! LOL!

So here is my cracked fish. Enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Coeur D'Alene

Who would have known that our town's St. Patrick's Day Parade would have an alpaca in it! Look at these guys! I took the picture with my cell phone, so the resolution is bad, but just imagine these funny guys with the green neck ties! The parade was small and we are a small town but it was great to see how the town comes out for fun and the kids. Look at these guys!

My husband turns to me and says they don't have alpacas in Ireland, do they? And the owner just happened to be standing next to him and said no but they are Kelley Valley Alpacas. Close enough for us! Way to go Dave and Dianne Kelley! We just think these guys are great! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I AM WORTHY NOW!

I really liked the blog post on ordinary courage - it really hit home! Go on over and catch this week's postings. Well worth your time. (Thank you Ali for directing us there! - Ali's blog - she has so much to share!)
Throughout the day there are certain moments that seem to calm me and I feel content. My grown son saying I love you as he goes to study, my cat perching on the arm of my chair, turning her head to look lovingly into my eyes, my husband's playful smile from across the room, ahh those hugs I feel and the saying from a movie - "my cup runneth over".  That being said I am haunted by the "if only's" - if only I would get this job - if only I lost weight - if only I was younger or prettier- so many if only's - so today I say I am worthy NOW!  I have hope! I am what I am and that is good.

You are worthy just as you are!

Wedding Favors - Matchbook Style Ideas Only

I am trying out ideas for wedding favors & would love some ideas from people. Colors for my daughter's wedding are pink and green so she liked the pink and green ribbon. We will probably use a different picture plus add some embellishments. It is a start. It is a simple matchbook style and the paper will change.

Got any ideas? I will be creating and sharing ideas for wedding favors over the next few months.

Blog Candy Alert! - Will get you into the Spring Feeling!

Spring can not be more welcomed and have to share this! It brings such brightness and its blog candy!

Check out Sue's blog over at Imagination crafts - She is offering some awesome blog candy  -  the kit contains Inkadinks and the new fabulous silikies and flowers.

I want some! I am sure you would love these, too. Look at those colors!

Oh so Deer....

I am so bummed that my crocus and tulips have not come up yet. Apparently deer have been dredging up my beds looking for food. Some of the bulbs are out of the ground and there is evidence of many deer having visited my yard and beds. So I have been scouring last year's pictures to remind me there still may be hope. I am hopeful to see my beautiful flowers very soon! The promise of color against the drab, grey, cold sky! I laugh at the grey taunting it with bright vibrant colors, promising that soon that drab grey will turn happily to blue!

Yes I am tired of the cold and winter - what little winter we have had here. I even missed the snow! What is wrong with me? Oh well, just look above - I love how the yellow pops out! Come sweet spring!

March is here!

I am so excited that March is upon us and the weather here is showing signs of warmer weather. Could it be spring is here? I look forward to the flowers and all that embodies spring time. Soon we can throw open the doors and windows and soak up the sun!

Here is a class card showcasing how to utilize the glitter glues available to us now along with alcohol inks. It is easier to use the new products (Stickles and others) so clean up is nicer! The alcohol inks bring a nice touch to the projects as well - adding a nice glow to the image, don't you think? Just remember to not use the alcohol inks on an unembossed surface. I used the back side of the transparent sheet to apply the inks. The Stickles went on the paper which was stamped and embossed.

 Thanks Mary Jo for another wonderful class! I will definitely be tryng this technique again soon!

Frog prince

Another valentine's card - I made this for my son. I used three stamps, red translucent beads from Pennywise on the black layer, diamond glaze on the hearts and watercolor pencils on the frog. It didn't take me 10 minutes to do this card and it was fun. Happy February!

Homage to the Valentine

I made Valentine's this month and it is fitting for me to end the month with some of them. I love this stamp - the kiss - there is another silhouette stamp of the couple too but the kiss is timeless. Enjoy!

Asian ATC

I woke up to snow today and it is still coming down. It is so pretty! We haven't had much of a winter here. I can imagine what Whistler and Vancouver are like! As the day progresses it will probably turn to rain.

Here is an ATC I created with an Asian theme - this design did not make the cut for the monthly swap since I was running out of mitzuhiki cord. My japanese lady turned out well and at first I was concerned about the colors. I used some art markers and the colors weren't as vibrant as I would have liked yet I did like the overall design Red translucent microbeads from PWA are placed along the side and behind the cord to add dimension. Enjoy!

Journey in Mica Inks

Creating backgrounds is part of my journey into mixed media. Below are some examples of using Mica Inks on coated papers and stamping over them. Classes at SAS allow me to experiment with different mediums. Mary Jo is always good at mixed media and I love to attend her classes. The top one I stamped into another sheet that I had too much ink on and used as an ink pad creating the lattice effect.  You can tell I like the swirly scrolly stamp.


The bottom one shows the smooshing technique that I learned from Judi from Judikins last fall at the store's fall art show. Mica inks give a different effect each time with the use of different colors and stamps as well as the amount of ink used. The smooshing technique is in the background - not too pronounced - look for the round shapes with petals - as I pressed the stamp into the inks and sort of smooshed or twisted the stamp and then lifted off the page. This made the single lines turn into the petals.

Smile!

Here is an old class card that is still inspiring me - whimsical and fun, simple. I am working on a card to send to my sister who is recovering from surgery. She loves her cat who is missing her dearly.

This card was part of a class in San Diego that I attended back in 2004. I like the use of "white space". Clear microbeads on the flower on the cat. The cat is popped up with foam tape. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Jeremiah!

Happy Birthday, Jeremiah!

This is my favorite found photo this year of you and your dad as he shows you the world. No wonder you are so adventurous! I am so proud of you and wish you the best birthday ever! You bring such joy to our lives!

February Firsts

I was inspired to create my own blog by the Queen herself - that is Queen Pennywise.  Glass beads are great to work with and I enjoy sharing so many wonderful ideas with everyone. Stamping allows you to make an impression and so here I go - I had fun making this ATC as part of the 1-4-1 ATC swap on the Pennywise Yahoo group swap.

Red translucent microbeads embellish just like ribbon. I call this lovely lady Goldie and she is ready to pucker up. The hearts are highlighted with Diamond glaze and Goldie is embossed with Kaliedascope embossing powder.